Jacob 1 - That We Might Persuade Them to Come Unto Christ I'm taking an online economics class right now, which prompted me to think of the definition of economics in the context of the scriptures. Economics is the study of the allocation of scarce resources. In the case of Nephi and his successor Jacob, the plates upon which they engraved their record was a scarce resource. They were costly to make and difficult to engrave, and instilling a tradition of passing them through generations was surely cumbersome. Recognizing the great importance of spiritual things and the challenge of maintaining records, Nephi instructed Jacob to prioritize religious instruction saying, " if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people" (Jacob 1:4). This priority was not only reflecte...
In Helaman chapter 12 Nephi summarizes the lesson to be learned from the wickedness of the Nephites: "And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him" (Helaman 12:1). "Unsteady" is the adjective I would use for my own heart. Even the most committed and well-intentioned of us waver and fail to perfectly follow God. The example of Peter denying Christ three times, and beginning to sink after walking on water immediately comes to mind. I'm also reminded of the words of King Benjamin that even "if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants" (Mosiah 2:21). Even our best efforts will fall short of the standard of perfection. The most hopeful word in Nephi's statement is the word "trust." Nephi concludes, "we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him" (Helaman 12:1). The qualification the receive the blessings of God is not perfection. It is not even unwavering obedience. It is trust. God knows the condition of our heart and our most inward desires. He is not interested in how far along the path we are, but which direction we are facing.
Our choice is simply to choose Him as our guide and continue along the trail to the best of our ability. This is easier said than done, and for a majority of the Nephites, it was a bridge too for. "Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide" (Helaman 12:6). I refuse to let God be my guide not when I fail to live up to His counsel, but when I disregard it. A failed attempt is so much better that the refusal to try; one reflects ability while the other reflects intent. I can see in my mind Israelites turning away form the brass serpent as after being bitten by venomous snakes, and King Naaman hesitating to wash in the River Jordan. In both cases they could have been healed, but balked because God's instructions seemed over simplistic and counterintuitive.
Because we are "unsteady," because it is difficult for us to yield to God, and because "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," we need constant reminders of God's love and our need to repent (Romans 3:23). As Nephi explained, for this cause, that men might be saved, hath repentance been declared ... And may God grant, in his great fulness, that men might be brought unto repentance and good works, that they might be restored unto grace for grace, according to their works" (Helaman 12:22, 24). The reason God sends prophets to cry repentance and stirs our heart with a desire to change is so that we might be saved.
I experience God's patience and mercy daily. He has patiently sought me in all my belligerent wanderings. In the thousands of moments in which He should have cut His losses and walked away, He has watched and waited. I hope I can emulate His love and give the same space and care to the people in my life as we each walk our separate path back to Him.
Application Questions
How strong is your desire to do good? How can you increase your trust in Christ despite your failings and weaknesses?
In what ways, large or small, to I "set at naught" God's counsel and refuse that "he should be my guide?"
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